Corn harvester

ABSTRACT

COMBINE CORN HEAD ATTACHMENT HAVING A PLURALITY OF CORN SNAPPING UNITS MOUNTED ON THE ATTACHMENT WITH SOME OF THE UNITS BEING MOUNTED SO THAT THEY CAN BE LATERALLY ADJUSTED WITH RESPECT TO ADJACENT UNITS TO ACCOMMODATE VARIBLE SPACED CROP ROWS, THE MOUNTING PROVIDING FOR   CONTINUOUS SUPPORT OF THE UNITS DURING THE ADJUSTMENT. POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS ARE PROVIDED TO DRIVE THE SNAPPING UNITS AND WHICH ACCOMMODATE THE LATERAL ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN THE UNITS.

R. ASHTON ETAL CORN HARVESTER Jan. 16, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 OriginalFiled Dec. 5, 1963 MN, M ar. wfiwwa m 6 w M 4 ea y Md 9mm Jan. 16, 1973Original Filed Dec. 5. 1965 R. ASHTON ET AL CORN HARVESTER 6Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTORS aw Ask/*0, BY fiferqy Ga/K Ckwza 6 awa 6 5M?!TTOA A/EVJ Jun. 16, 1973 R ASHTON ETAL Re. 27,554

CORN HARVESTER Original Filed Dec. 5, 1965 6 Shea Ls-Sheet 3 INVENTOILSORA 5V6 Jun. 16, 1973 R. ASHTON ETAL.

6 Shea i.s--Sheel 4 Original Filed Dec. 5, 1963 Jan. 16, 1973 ASHTONETA! CORN HARVESTER Original Filed Dec. 5, 1965 B Sheets-Shea t 5INVENTORS fiberz flak/02?, BY Wj 'erqy gag/30x45 awe: a a. M

Jill. 16, 1973 R. ASHTON r Re. 27,554

CORN HARVESTER Original Filed Dec. 5, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 UnitedStates Patent 27,554 CORN HARVESTER Robert Ashton, Islington, MyronLeroy Gullickson, Scotland, and James G. Butler, Islington, Ontario,Canada, assiguors to Massey-Ferguson Limited, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaOriginal No. 3,271,940, dated Sept. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 328,324, Dec. 5,1963. Application for reissue June 9, 1969, Ser. No. 28,993

Int. Cl. A01d 45/02 US. Cl. 56105 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets appears in the original patent but forms no part'of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Combine corn head attachment having aplurality of corn snapping units mounted on the attachment with some ofthe units being mounted so that they can be laterally adjusted withrespect to adjacent units toaccommodate variable spaced crop rowlr, themounting providing for continuous support of the units during theadjustment. Power transmitting means are provided to drive the snappingunits and which accommodate the lateral adjustment between the units.

This invention relates to a harvesting attachment adapted to beremovably mounted on a combine for simultaneously harvesting a pluralityof spaced crop rows and, in particular, to a corn header attachment fora combine particularly characterized by a plurality of harvesting orsnapping units, at least some of which are laterally adjustable relativeto the others to vary the spacing therebetween in accordance withvariation in the spacing between rows of standing corn in a field, theattachment further being readily convertible for harvesting, forexample, two, three or four rows of corn.

Referring to corn header attachments for combines by way of example, itwill be recognized that such corn header attachments have heretoforebeen devised and comprise, in general a plurality of snapping units, onefor each row of corn to be harvested, arranged in sideby-side relationin accordance with the anticipated spacing between rows of corn to beharvested, Yet more specifically, such snapping units typically comprisea pair of snapping rolls suitably mounted for rotation beside each otheron the snapping unit frame, and a corresponding pair of gathering chainscarried by the frame of each snapping unit. Power operated drivemechanisms have been provided to power the rotatable snapping rolls andthe gathering chains. Thus, as a combine equipped with such a cornheader attachment moves through a plurality of spaced rows of corn in afield, the stalks are received between the snapping rolls and the earsof corn are severed therefrom, which ears are then conveyed by thegathering chains and other instrumentalities into the combine.

Therefore, and as will be readily apparent to those acquainted with thisart, it is necessary to provide a particular and suitable corn headerattachment for the combine in accordance with the number of rows of cornto be harvested and their spacing. In other words, in a two row cornheader, a pair of the aforementioned snapping units are provided, andhave a lateral spacing in accordance with the anticiapted spacingbetween the two rows of corn to be harvested. If three rows of corn areto be harvested simultaneously, three snapping units are correspondinglyprovided, and so on. Thus, it is necessary to provide a particular cornheader for each different harvesting application which may difier fromeach other as to the number of rows of corn to be harvested or therelative spacing of the rows, or both. Furthermore, and equallysignificantly, problems are encountered in the event that the spacingbetween the snapping units of a given corn header do not correspondwithin limits to the spacing between the rows of corn. In other words,irrespective of the number of rows of corn to be harvestedsimultaneously, it is essential that the lateral spacing of the numberof snapping units provide on the header be such as to insure that onlyone row of corn will be received by a given snapping unit, and that norow will be missed as by passing between any two adjacent snappingunits.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the present invention isdirected to a harvesting attachment adapted to be removably mounted on acombine for simultaneous- 1y harvesting a plurality of spaced crop rowsand, in particular, to a corn header attachment for multiple rows ofstanding corn, and which attachment is characterized by a main frameremovably mountable on a combine so as to extend generally laterally ofthe latter and its path of travel through a field, a harvesting orsnapping unit for each crop row or row of corn, means for mounting suchunits in laterally spaced relation on the main frame of the attachmentin accordance with the spacing of the crop rows or rows of corn, themounting means for at least one of the units permitting lateraladjustment of the latter relative to an adjacent unit to vary thelateral spacing therebetween in accordance with the actual spacingoccurring between rows in any given field being harvested to insure thateach unit will receive only one crop row or row of corn and that no rowwill be missed, and power operated means for driving the harvesting orsnapping units to harvest the crop concerned and including power drivenmeans interconnecting the aforementioned laterally relatively adjustableadjacent units to permit variation in the lateral spacing thereof while,at the same time, providing a power connection therebetween.

In this regard, the invention is more specifically characterized by acorn header attachment for a com-bine, which header attachment includesa main frame means adapted to be removably mounted on the combine andincluding a support beam or tool bar extending laterally of the combineand the path of travel of the latter, a plurality of snapping units eachincluding a unit frame mounting a pair of rotatable snapping rolls and apair of gathering and elevating chain constructions, means mounting eachof the unit frames in laterally spaced relation on the aforementionedsupport beam or tool bar with the mounting means for at least one of theunit frames permitting lateral adjustment of the latter relative to anadjacent unit frame to vary the lateral spaeing therebetween, and poweroperated means for driving the snapping rolls and chain constructions ofsuch adjacent pair of units and including a pair of coupling means foradjustably coupling in driving relation the respective snapping rollsand chain constructions of the adjacent units, whereby the relativelateral spacing of the plurality of snapping units may be varied inaccordance with the particular spacing between a plurality of rows ofcorn in a given field while readily maintaining power drive to thesnapping units.

More specifically in this regard, the invention is further characterizedby a novel hood panel and snout assembly extending laterally between anadjacent pair of relatively adjustable snapping units for the purpose ofaiding in directing stalks of corn into the units during the harvestingoperation and preventing ears of corn from falling from the header, andwhich assemblies are characterized by at least a pair of panel membersrespectively mounted on adjacent units, and means adjustably connectingsuch panel members for relative lateral movement therebe- ;ween toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing of idjacent snapping unitsas the spacing of the latter is adjusted.

The invention is further characterized by a novel support and drivemechanism for the pair of snapping rolls aforementioned of each snappingunit, and comprising means mounting spaced portions of each snappingroll )1? each pair thereof for relative angular adjustment relitive toeach other and the unit frame on which they are mounted, one end of eachsnapping roll of each pair thereof being provided with a bevel gear, anda single power iriven drive gear having double bevel faces beinginterposed between and meshing with the faces of the aforenentioneddriven bevel gears of a given pair thereof to rotatably drive thesnapping rolls. As a result, in the event )f wear on the drive faces ofthe aforementioned gears 31, alternatively, due to variation in theparticular size of the crop to be harvester, by way of example, theangular inclination of the snapping rolls may be adjusted to increase ordecrease the spacing therebetween while such rolls are still operativelydrivingly connected to the double faced bevel drive gear.

At this juncture, it may also be noted that the present invention ispreferably embodied in a four row corn header attachment characterizedby four of the aforementioned snapping units, the middle two units ofwhich may be fixed laterally relative to each other on the main frame orsupport beam or tool bar of the attachment, while the outer two unitsare laterally adjustable relative to an adjacent one of the two middleunits. As a consequence, the aforesaid outer two snapping units may beadjusted laterally relative to the adjacent ones of the middle twosnapping units to vary the lateral spacing therebetween in accordancewith the actual spacing occurring between rows in any given field beingharvested to insure that each snapping unit will receive only one :roprow and that no row will be missed. However, due to standardization ofthe respective snapping units, components thereof and the power drivenmeans for drivingly interconnecting adjacent snapping units as willappear more fully hereinafter, two and three row harvesters may bereadily provided. In other words, two and three row header attachmentsmay be provided in which two or three, respectively, of theaforementioned snapping units may be mounted in laterally spacedrelation on the main frame or support beam or tool bar of the attachmentin the manner aforementioned, and be connected to a source of power todrive the respective snapping rolls and chain constructions thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front end view of a combine equipped with a preferredembodiment of the harvesting attachment of the present invention, inthis case, a four row corn header attachment;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of theapparatus of FIGURE 1 taken from the right side thereof, partly insection and partly broken away to illustrate certain details of theconstruction;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2, and illustrating certain details of one of the outsidesnapping units and part of an adjacent middle unit;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of laterallyadjustable hood and snout assemblies associated with each of theoutermost pairs of snapping units of the header illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 66 ofFIGURE 2 illustrating, viewing the figure from left to right, oneoutside snapping unit a d the two m ddle units of the tour rQw h ader;

4 FIGURE 7 is a view corresponding generally to FIG- URE 2 but beingfragmentary in nature, enlarged, partially in section and taken in aslightly different plane than that of FIGURE 2, to illustrate certaindetails of the header;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 88 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 99 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1111of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 12-12of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1313 ofFIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 14 is a schematic illustration of the power drive transmissionfor driving various instrumentalities of the header.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG- URES 1, 2 and 7thereof, the numeral 2 generally indicates a self-propelled combine ofsuitable construction and including an operators station 4 at theextreme forward end thereof, while the numeral 6 generally indicates afour row corn header attachment for harvesting four rows of cornsimultaneously, which attachment comprises a main frame indicate at 8,four snapping units, one for each corn row, indicated at 10, outsidehood and snout assemblies 12 extending along an outside portion of theoutside snapping units, and hood and snout assemblies 14 extendingbetween and overlying adjacent pairs of the snapping units to facilitatefeeding stalks of corn to the snapping units, while further insuringthat harvested corn will not be lost over the sides or back of theheader attachment. As will be apparent from FIG- URE 1, and as will bedescribed more fully hereinafter, the attachment is mounted on a forwardportion of the combine 2 so as to extend laterally of the forward pathof travel thereof, and immediately below the operators station 4 toprovide the operator with an excellent view of the variousinstrumentalities of the header attachment.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2, 7 and 14, the rearmost end ofthe header attachment 6 is provided with suitable coupling means ofconventional construction, hence not specifically illustrated, forremovably mounting the header attachment to the forward portion of thecombine as aforementioned. Suflice it to say that such a conventionalmounting means mounts the attachment for relative pivotal movement in avertical plane relative to the combine and ground for movement be tweena lowered harvesting position and a raised transport or parking positionabout an axis substantially coincident with the axis of the shaft 16. Asuitable number of hydraulically operated jacks 18 are operativelyconnected between the frame of the combine 2 and the main frame 8 of theheader attachment, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, for the purpose ofcontrolling movement of the attachment between its positions asaforementioned, while a suitable number of conventional parking jacks 20are carried by the main frame of the header attachment for parkingpurposes as will be readily appreciated by those acquainted with theart.

Referring now further particularly to FIGURES 2, 7 and 14, an undershotconveyor assembly indicated generally at 22 is carried by the main frame8 of the header attachment, and comprises a sprocket 24 carried by therotatable drive shaft 16 aforementioned and a drum 26 carried on anidler shaft 28 rotatably mounted on laterally spaced arms 30 which, inturn, are suitably mounted on the main frame 8 for rectilinear andpivotal movement to vary the spacing between the drum and sprocket andthe vertical position of the drum 26 to adjust the conveyor fordifferent size crops. A plurality of conveyor chains 32, herein shown tobe two in number, an

entrained about the respective drum and sprocket and have securedthereto a plurality of conveyor paddles 34. The shaft 16 mounts a drivesprocket 36, FIGURE 14, driven through a drive chain 38 from a suitablesource of power carried by the combine as will be readily apparent. As aconsequence, the sprocket 24 drives the conveyor while the drum 26idles.

Referring to the aforementioned adjustment of the idler drum 26, andwith particular reference to FIGURE 7, each of the arms 30 may bepivotally connected as illustrated at 40 to a rod 42 telescopicallymovable through a bracket 44 fixedly secured to the housing structureenclosing the conveyor 22 and forming a part of the main frame of theheader attachment. In addition, a circular bearing member 46 is slidablymounted in a somewhat elongated trackway 48 for movement generally alongthe axis of the rod 42, the member 46 carrying eccentrically a pin 50connected to the respective arms 30. As a consequence, axial shiftingmovement of the rods 42 wlthm their brackets 44 to a particular positionas determined by the nuts associated with the rods as shown will resultin adjustment of the tension of the chains 32 between the drums 24 and26. In addition, rotation of the member 46 within its trackway willresult in the eccentric pins 50 carried thereby pivoting the arms 30upwardly or downwardly about the connections 40 to adjust the verticalheight of the conveyor assembly with respect to 1ts enclosing housing.The member 46 may be adjusted rotatably in various fashions such as, forexample, a lever arm secured thereto.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2, 6, 7 and 14, the main frame ofthe header attachment is further provided with cross auger conveyingmeans indicated generally at 52 and comprising the two opposed augerflights 54 securred to the laterally extending rotatable auger driveshaft 56 and disposed within the auger trough 58 having an open top andextending transversely of the header attachment immediately in front ofthe conveyor assembly 22. As will be readily apparent, the two opposedauger flights, with the latter rotating counterclockwise in FIG- URE 7,are adapted to feed ears of corn conveyed thereto in a manner to bedescribed toward the center of the auger means where a paddle 60 isformed joining the two auger flights immediately in front of the mouthof the conveyor assembly 22, a hood 62. also being provided so as toextend from the top of the conveyor housing toward and to a pointimmediately adjacent to the auger means and the central paddle 60thereof.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 2, ll, 13 and 14, power for drivingthe auger drive shaft 56 is provided from the conveyor drive shaft 16previously described, such shaft being provided with a sprocket 64connected though the drive chain 66 to a sprocket 68 carried by thelaterally extending main rotatable drive shaft 70 for the snapping units10. A sprocket 72 carried by such main drive shaft 70 is connectedthrough drive chain 74 to sprocket 76 fixed to the auger drive shaft 56,and also engaging the drive chain intermediate sprockets 72 and 76. As aresult, the auger shaft 56 is rotated counterclockwise in FIGURE 7 sothat the auger flights will convey harvested ears of corn into the mouthof the undershot conveyor assembly 22.

Referring now to the construction of the snapping units 10, it may befirst observed that they are substantially identical. Thus, andreferring particularly to FIGURES 2, 6, 9, 11 and 13, it may be seenthat each snapping unit comprises a rigid frame including a pair oflaterally spaced saddle members 80 respectively rigidly secured tolaterally spaced elongated lower beams 82 which, in turn, are suitablyrigidly secured at their forward ends to corresponding elongated upperbeams 84 having their opposite ends suitably rigidly secured to amounting plate 86 also rigidly connected to the lower beams 82. Thesaddle members 80 of each snapping unit are of suitable annularcurvature for seating on a corresponding portion of a laterallyextending elongated support beam or tool bar 88 which is circular incross section and is suitably fixedly secured on the main frame of theattachment. Auxiliary bracket or strap members 90 are attachable to andcooperate with the respective saddle members 80 of each snapping unit totightly mount the latter to the beam or bar 88. In this regard, andreferring particularly to FIGURES l1 and 13 illustrating one of the twocenter snapping units 10; that is, the third snapping unit from the leftin FIGURE 1 which is the righthand most snapping unit of FIGURE 6, itmay be seen that the saddle members 80 for the two middle units includenotches or recesses 92 to receive the opposite ends of the key bars 94suitably rigidly secured to the beam or bar 88. The position of the keybars 94 circumferentially of the support beam or tool bar is such that,once the middle two snapping unit frames are securely mountedrespectively thereto, the frames have the proper angular attituderelative to the beam or bar 88 and to the rest of the header attachmentstructure for harvesting purposes. In addition, the cooperation betweenthe saddle members 80 of each of the middle two snapping units and theirkey bars 94 is such as to maintain such middle snapping units inpredetermined laterally spaced positions relative to the tool bar orsupport beam and each other.

At this juncture, it should be observed that the foregoing descriptionpertains only to the middle pair of snapping units; that is, the secondand third units from the left in FIGURES I and 6. On the other hand,while corresponding key bars are provided for the outside snappingunits, one such bar being illustrated in FIGURE 6 at 96, these key barsinclude means providing for laterally adjusting the position of theassociated snapping unit along the support beam or tool bar and relativeto an adjacent one of the center two snapping units. Thus, and referringto FIGURE 6, the extreme leftward snapping unit, which is an outsidesnapping unit, is illustrated as secured to the tool bar insubstantially the same manner as the other two snapping unitsillustrated in FIGURE 6 and as aforedescribed. However, the key bar 96in this instance is provided with notches or spaces 98 of sufiicientwidth and spacing to receive the saddle members 80 and the associatedsnapping unit upon adjustment of the latter to different lateralpositions relative to the adjacent snapping unit.

At this juncture, while the. center two snapping units have beendisclosed as being mountable in fixed positions laterally relative toeach other and the support beam or tool bar, it will be readily apparentthat the key bars 94 associated therewith may likewise include notchesor other means providing for their adjustment laterally. However, it hasbeen found that mounting the center two snapping units with a fixedlateral spacing relative to each other while having the outer twosnapping units laterally adjustable provides sufiicient flexibility inspacing of the snapping units in accordance with variation in spacing ofrows of corn being harvested simultaneously.

Each snapping unit further comprises, with particular reference toFIGURES 2, 6 and 8 through 14, a pair of elongated multiple-bladed 0rfluted snapping rolls 100 arranged in side-by-side relation andextending longitudinally of the associated frames of each snapping unit.One end portion of each snapping roll is rotatably supported in aspherical bearing construction 102, in and of itself of conventionalconstruction, suitably carried by the mounting plates 86 of the snappingunit frames, a bevel face gear 104 being connected to each such rolladjacent such spherical bearings for rotatably driving the roll in amanner to be described. Another portion of each roll, remotely forwardfrom the bearings 102, is suitably rotatably supported in a bearing 106connected by a hinge 108 to an adjustment plate 110 having an aperture112 therein of greater diameter than that of a fastener 114 whichextends therethrough and connects the adjustment plate to the unit frameas illustrated paricularly in FIGURES 9 and 10. Thus, the fasteners 114)f a given snapping unit may be loosened and the associated snappingrolls adjusted angularly and laterally 'elative to each other and theirsnapping unit frames gen- :rally about axes respectively extendingthrough the cen- :ers of the spherical bearings 102 and normal to thelongizudinal axes of the rolls.

Each pair of snapping rolls of each snapping unit is tdapted to be powerdriven from a single associated doule face bevel drive gear 116,respectively meshing with :he bevel gears 104 of each such pair andcarried by four :oaxial roll drive shafts 118 suitably rotatablysupported )n the snapping unit frames. Furthermore, and with par-:icular reference to FIGURES 6, 13 and 14, it will be loted that theroll drive shafts 118 for each outermost mapping unit and the adjacentinner unit are drivingly Interconnected by a coupling mechanismindicated gen- :rally at 120 and to be described more fully hereinafter,:here being no such drive coupling directly between the niddle pair ofsnapping units. As aforementioned, the :hain 66 drives the main snappingunit drive shaft 70 which includes a pair of spring biased clutchassemblies [22 normally clutchingly engaging hubs rotatable about shaft70 and carrying drive sprockets 124 respectively hav- .ng chains 126entrained thereabout and about associated rprockets 128 secured to oneof the roll drive shafts 118 )f each interconnected pair thereof todrive such roll shafts and, through the coupling mechanisms 120, theassociated roll drive shaft of each pair thereof. In addi- ;ion,rotatable idler sprockets 130 also engage chains [26. Thus, power istransmitted through the double face aevel gears 116 to drive eachassociated pair of snapping rolls 100 and, in the event of an overloadoccurring as ;he snapping rolls function, the clutch assembly 122affected will automatically disengage to interrupt the trans fer ofpower from main drive shaft 70 to the snapping rolls in question.

Each snapping unit further comprises a pair of elongated stripper plates132, as illustrated particularly in FIGURES l and 6, respectivelygenerally overlying and extending along each one of the associated pairof snapping rolls 100. With particular reference to FIGURES 6, 11, 13and 14, it may be seen that each unit further :omprises a pair oflaterally spaced drive sprockets 134 suitably rotatably mounted freelyabout the axis of the rotatable shafts 136 carrying the bevel rfacednive gears [38, a spring-biased preferably shielded clutch member 140being provided at the upper ends of such shafts for normal clutchingengagement with the sprockets 134 to drive the latter as the shafts 136rotate. A corresponding pair of idler sprockets 142 are suitablyrotatably mounted on the respective carriages 144 in turn 'adjustablymounted on the unit frames generally above each of the strip per plates132, the carriages being spring-biased adjustably by the mechanismillustrated at 146 in FIGURE 6 to continuously bias the idler sprocketsaway from their associated drive sprockets 134. A gathering andelevating chain 148, including the spaced pick-up fingers 150, isentrained about each pair of drive and idler sprockets aforedescribed.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 6 and 11 to 14, in order to drive thebevel gears 138 and shafts 136 aforedescribed, the main snapping unitdrive shaft 70 is coupled through a pair of sprockets 152 carriedthereby and chains 154 entrained thereover to corresponding sprockets156 carried by one each of two pairs of coaxial gathering chain driveshafts 158 suitably rotatably mounted on the main frame andinterconnected by a coupling mechanism indicated generally at 160 inFIGURES 6, l3 and 14 in a manner similar to the connections of the rolldrive shafts 118. Idler sprockets 162 also mesh with the respectivechains 154. It is to be noted that the gathering and elevating chains148 of each of the outer snapping units is drivingly associated with itsadjacent unit as is the wee with the snapping rolls, there being nodrive connection between the middle pair of snapping units as will beclearly apparent from FIGURE 14. Thus, drive is transmitted from a mainsnapping unit drive shaft 70 through the chains 154 to the gatheringchain drive shafts 158 and the bevel gears 164 carried thereby whichmesh with the gears 138 on shafts 136. As a result, the shafts 136carrying thedrive sprockets 134 are power driven to drive the gatheringand elevating chains, it being understood that the clutch mechanismswill function automatically to disengage the drive sprockets 134 fromshafts 136 in the case of an overload, thereby interrupting drive to thegathering chains affected.

The coupling mechanisms 120 and which respectively interconnect theadjacent pairs of coaxial roll drive shafts 118 and gathering chaindrive shafts 158 as aforedescribed are substantially identical inconstruction, and the details of which are shown best in FIGURES 6 and13. Thus, these coupling mechanisms each comprise a pair of collar orcoupling sleeves 166 having internal bores of a suitably polygonal crosssection, in this case square. Such collars or sleeves are adapted toreceive respectively the axially opposed ends of each associated pair ofroll drive or gathering chain drive shafts as the case may be, the endsof such shafts likewise being of square cross section for rotation withthe collars or sleeves. Cotter pins 168, set screws or the like extendthrough each collar or sleeve to removably mount the latter on theirassociated shafts. A coupling shaft 170, likewise of square crosssection, extends between and is received within the bores of each pairof coupling collars or sleeves so that drive may be transmitted betweenthe axially aligned associated pairs of roll drive shafts 118 andgathering chain shafts 158. A plurality of axially spaced apertures areprovided in opposite ends of each coupling shaft torernovably receive acotter key 172 or similar means to hold each coupling shaft in posit-ionbetween its associated collars or sleeves. It will be noted,particularly from FIGURE 13, that the lengths of the bores of eachcoupling collar or sleeve are sutficiently great relative to the lengthsof the coupling shafts and the range of lateral adjustment betweenadjacent associated pairs of snapping units 10 to provide an axial lostmotion connection between opposed coupling collars or sleeves; that is,an outside unit may be moved toward and away from its adjacent unitwithin limits, such movement being accommodated by the lengths of thebores of the associated coupling sleeves and, in any given position oflateral relative adjustment of such units, the cotter keys 172 may beinserted in the suitable apertures in the coupling shafts to hold thelatter in position between its associated coupling collars or sleeves.

Thus, the coupling mechanisms 120 and 160 permit relative lateraladjustment within certain limits of the associated pairs of snappingunits 10 as aforedescribed, while still providing an operative powerconnection therebetween in adjusted positions thereof. However, it ispossible that the range of drive adjustment afforded by coupling shafts170 of a given length may be inadequate under certain operatingconditions to accommodate a desired spacing between the laterallyadjustable snapping units; that is, a given coupling shaft may be toolong to accommodate a relatively narrow spacing or too short for arelatively wide spacing. Thus, and in such an event, the coupling shaftsmay be provided in varying lengths to give a complete range ofadjustment from the narrowest to the widest. In this regard, it will bereadily apparent that the coupling sleeves 166 may be readily removedfrom shafts 118 or 158 as the case may be to demount a give-n couplingshaft for replacement by another of different length.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 through 5, it will be noted thatthe aforementioned hood and snout panel assemblies 12 and 14 areprovided in association with the snapping units 10 for the usual purposeof facilitating direction of a given row of corn between the snappingrolls and gathering and elevating chains of each snapping unit, whilepreventing loss of harvested ears of corn over the sides of the headerattachment or the back thereof as will be readily appreciated by thoseacquainted with this art. However, the hood and snout panel assemblies14 located respectively on either side of the middle assembly as viewedin FIGURE 1; that is, the assemblies which span laterally between eachoutside snapping unit and its adjacent unit, are particularlyconstructured in a novel manner to accommodate adjustment of therelative lateral spacing between such adjacent units.

Thus, it may be observed that the snout portion of each such assemblyincludes a pair of panel members 174 having overlapping side edges, andeach of which is respectively hingedly connected through the arms 176 tothe hinges 178 respectively carried by adjacent snapping unit frames.The forward ends of the side edges of the panel members are pivotallyconnected at 180, while the side edge of one panel member is providedwith an elongated slightly arcuate slot 182 and a plurality of arcuatelyaligned apertures 184 respectively cooperable with fasteners 186 carriedby the side edge of the other panel member to connect the panel memberstogether. In similar fashion, each of the hood portions of suchassemblies includes a pair of panel members 188 provided with opposedelongated slots 190 in side edges thereof sandwiched between over andunderlying panel members 192 having a suitable number of fasteners 194,corresponding to the number of the aforementioned slots and in this casethree in number, extending therebetween. Each of the hood panel membersare secured through brackets 1196 to hinges 198 carried by respectiveones of the adjacent snapping unit frames immediately adjacent thehinges 178 for the snout panel members. A rod 200 is suitably secured tothe snout panels, extends through a panel 202 secured to the hoodpanels, and is provided with an adjustable nut 204 to adjust therelative angular disposition of the snout and hood panel assembliesunder the influence of gravity, while permitting raising pivotalmovement thereof for access to the snapping units as will be readilyapparent.

As a result of this construction, the widths of the snout and hoodportions of the aforedescribed assemblies 14 may be increased ordecreased in accordance with the relative lateral spacing of each of theouter snapping units relative to the unit adjacent thereto. Thus, whenan outer unit is to be moved inwardly toward the adjacent unit as viewedin FIGURE 1, fasteners 186 may be loosened or removed and the adjacentside edges of the respective panel members 174 of the snout portionpivoted at 180 and telescoped together to a shorter width as thesnapping units are so adjusted, the fasteners then being retightened orreplaced in slot 182 and particular apertures 184. Naturally, theopposite operation takes place when it is desired to widen the width ofthe snout. By the same token, merely by loosening the fasteners 194, thepanel members 188 of the hood portion may be moved toward or away fromeach other to accommodate variation in spacing of the adjacent snappingunits, the fasteners thereafter being tightened to hold the panels inany adjusted position. Furthermore, the amount of adjustment of any onepanel member 174 or 188 relative to its associated panel member isminimized for any given adjustment of spacing between adjacent snappingunits. In other words, if an outer snapping unit is to be moved threeinches closer to an adjacent snapping unit, it will be manifest that therespective panel members need only be moved one and one-half inches eachto accommodate the full three inches of adjustment.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the middle and two outermosthood and snout assemblies 14 and 12, respectively, are hingedlyconnected to associated snapping units in a manner similar to thosepreviously described; that is, the snout portion 206 and hood portion208 of the middle assembly will be hinged exactly as those described tothe middle two snapping units while the outer assemblies 12 have theirhood and snout portions 210 and 212 hinged entirely to the outermostsnapping units by hinges 198 and 178, respectively, with an adjustmentrod 200 extending therebetween. It will further be appreciated that themiddle and outermost hood and snout assemblies are not shown asincluding the adjustment features as aforedescribed since, of course,the middle two snapping units spanned by the middle panel assembly areheld in a laterally fixed spaced relationship as specifically disclosedand, of course, the outermost hood and snout assemblies will be adjustedbodily with the respective snapping units with which they are connected.However, in the event that it is desired to mount the middle pair ofsnapping units for lateral adjustment relative to each other in. themanner of the outer snapping units, or merely for standardization ofparts, it will be appreciated that the hood and snout assembly 14-spanning the inner pair of snapping units may be constructed exactly asthe assemblies to either side thereof and as aforedescribed.

In operation, it will now be appreciated that the outermost two snappingunits 10 may be laterally adjusted on the support beam or tool bar 88relative to the adjacent snapping units by mounting the saddle memberson the support beam in any selected pair of notches or spaces 98 on theassociated key bars 96, the notches being spaced at a suitable distanceto provide the range of adjustment desired in the increments desired.Naturally, the range and increments of adjustment will be correlated tothe spacing between the inner pair of snapping units if they are held inlaterally fixed relation as herein specifically disclosed. In theembodiment shown, it is considered desirable to mount the two centersnapping units on centers of approximately thirty-nine inches with thekey bars 96 associated with the outer snapping units accommodatingadjustment thereof for row widths from thirtysix inches to forty-twoinches, the hood and snout assemblies 14 associated therewith beinglikewise adjustable within this range. After the desired adjustmentshave been made in the lateral spacing of the outer two snapping units inaccordance with the widths of rows to be harvested, the coupling shafts17 0 are positioned between the coupling sleeves 166 so as to be able toconduct drive between the snapping rolls and gathering chains of each ofthe outer pairs of snapping units, as previously described. In thisregard, and as aforedescribed, a set of coupling shafts may be providedto increase the range of adjustment permitted.

In addition, the angular lateral inclination of the respective pairs ofsnapping rolls of each snapping unit may be adjusted as aforedescribedto accommodate crops of varying sizes and, additionally, to compensatefor wear which may occur in the snapping roll mechanism. Thus, due tothe coaction between the two bevel face driven gears 104 and the singledouble bevel faced drive gear 116 respectively associated with each pairof snapping rolls, the latter may be angled while the gears remain inmeshing engagement.

After making the necessary adjustments in the spacing of the snappingunits and the angular inclination of the snapping rolls asaforementioned, the header is propelled through a field of corn by thecombine resulting in a given row of corn being received by each of thesnapping units. The snapping rolls in cooperation with stripper plates132 snap the ears of corn from the stalks, and which ears are thenconveyed by the gathering and elevating chains 148 into the cross auger52 for feed to the elevating mechanism 22 and to the combine.

When the combine with its attached header undertakes the harvesting ofanother four row crop in which the row spacing may vary, it will now beappreciated that the snapping units may be adjusted as previouslydescribed in accordance with such spacing.

Therefore, it will now be appreciated that the header attachment of thepresent invention is particularly characterized by a novel mountingarrangement for a plurality of snapping units or harvesting units toaccommodate variation in the widths of rows to be harvested, while thepower drive to the respective units may be readily adiusted toaccommodate the adjustment of the units themselves.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orpriviliege is claimed are defined as follows:

[1. A harvesting attachment adapted to be removably mounted on a combinefor simultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced crop rows; saidattachment comprising main frame means, a harvesting unit for each croprow, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spaced relation onsaid main frame means in accordance with the spacing of the crop rows,said mounting means for at least one of said units laterally adjustablymounting the latter relative to an adjacent unit to vary the lateralspacing therebetween, power operated means independent of said mountingmeans mounted on and laterally adjustable with respective ones of saidadjacent units to drive the latter in any adjusted position thereof,means for conducting power to one of said power operated means, andcoupling means adjustably drivingly coupling said one of said poweroperated means to the other thereof to transmit power therebetween whileaccommodating variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacentunits] [2. The harvesting attachment according to claim 1 wherein saidmounting means comprises bracket means carried by each of said units andengageable with said main frame means to mount said units thereon, andkey means cooperable between said main frame means and each of saidbracket means to space said units laterally relative to each other, saidkey means associated with said one of said units permitting adjustmentof said bracket means of the latter laterally thereon to differentpositions] [3. The harvesting attachment according to claim 1 whereinsaid power operated means comprises a rotatable drive shaft mounted onrespective ones of said adjacent units to drive the latter, and whereinsaid coupling means comprises a coupling shaft extending between saiddrive shafts, and means adjustably coupling said coupling shaft to saiddrive shafts to accommodate variation in the lateral spacing betweensaid adjacent units] [4. The harvesting attachment according to claim 1wherein said power operated means comprise a rotatable drive shaftmounted coaxially on respective ones of said adjacent units to drive thelatter and wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling shaftextending coaxially between said drive shafts, and means demountablycouling opposite ends of said coupling shaft to said drive shafts andpermitting mounting of a second coupling shaft of a different lengththerebetween to accommodate variation in the lateral spacing betweensaid adjacent units] [5. The harvesting attachment according to claim 1further comprising a panel assembly extending laterally between saidadjacent units and including a pair of panel members respectivelymounted on said adjacent units, and means adjustably connecting saidpanel members for relative movement therebetween to accommodatevariation in the lateral spacing of said adjacent units] [6. A combinecorn header attachment for simultaneously harvesting a plurality ofspaced rows of corn; said attachment comprising main frame meansincluding a laterally extending support beam removably mountable on acombine, a plurality of snapping units, mounting means mounting saidunits in laterally spaced relation on said support beam in accordancewith the spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means for at leastone of said units laterally adjustably mounting the latter relative toan adjacent unit to vary the lateral spacing therebctween,

power operated means independent of said mounting means mounted on andlaterally adjustable with respective ones of said adjacent units todrive the latter in any adjusted position thereof, means for conductingpower to one of said power operated means, and coupling means adjustablydrivingly coupling said one of said power operated means to the otherthereof to transmit power therebetween while accommodating variation inthe lateral spacing between said adjacent units] [7. The combine cornheader attachment according to claim 6 wherein there are four of saidsnapping untis, at least the two outside units being laterallyadjustable on said support beam relative to the respective adjacentunits] [8. The combine corn header attachment according to claim 6wherein said mounting means comprises bracket means carried by each ofsaid units and engageable with said beam to mount said units thereon,and key means cooperable between said beam and each of said bracketmeans to space said units laterally relative to each other. said keymeans associated with said one of said units permitting adjustment ofsaid bracket means of the latter laterally thereon to differentpositions] [9. The combine corn header attachment according to claim 6wherein said mounting means comprises bracket means carried by each ofsaid units and engageable with said beam to mount said units thereon,and key bar means fixedly secured to said beam and cooperable with saidbracket means to space said respective units laterally relative to eachother, said key bar means associated with said one of said unitsincluding a plurality of laterally spaced seats cooperable with saidbracket means of said one of said units for adjustment of the latter todifferent positions laterally on said beam] [10. The combine corn headerattachment according to claim 6 wherein said power operated meanscomprises a rotatable drive shaft mounted on respective ones of saidadjacent units to drive the latter, and wherein said coupling meanscomprises a coupling shaft extending between said drive shafts, andmeans adjustably coupling said coupling shaft to said drive shafts toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacentunits] [11. The combine corn header attachment according to claim 6wherein said power operated means comprises a rotatable drive shaftmounted coaxially on respective ones of said adjacent units to drive thelatter, and wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling shaftextending coaxially between said drive shafts, and means demountablycoupling opposite ends of said coupling shaft to said drive shafts andpermitting mounting of a second coupling shaft of a different lengththerebetween to accommodate variation in the lateral spacing betweensaid adjacent units] [12. The combine corn header attachment accordingto claim 6 wherein each of said units comprises a unit frame extendinglongitudinally forwardly from said beam, a pair of rotatable snappingrolls mounted longitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-sidesnapping relation, and wherein said power operated means comprises apair of roll drive shafts respectively rotatably mounted on saidadjacent unit frames and drivingly connected to said respective pairs ofrolls carried thereby, and wherein said coupling means comprises acoupling shaft extending between said roll drive shafts, and meansadjustably coupiing said coupling shaft to said roll drive shafts toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacent unitframes] [13. The combine corn header attachment according to claim 12further comprising means mounting longitudinally spaced portions of eachpair of said rolls for lateral angular adjustment relative to each otherand their associated unit frame] '14. [The combine corn headerattachment according to claim 12] A combine corn header attachment forsimultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced rows of corn; saidattachment comprising main frame means including a laterally extendingsupport beam removably mountable on a combine, a plurality of snappingunits, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spaced relationon said support beam in accordance with the spacing of the rows of corn,said mounting means for at least one of said units comprising said oneunit being mounted in abutting relationship to said beam to verticallysupport said one unit on said beam, said unit being movable along saidbeam in a continuous abutting vertically supporting relationship to varythe lateral spacing of said one unit relative to an adjacent unit andreleasable clamping means carried by said one unit to fix said one unitin selected positions along said beam, power operated means independentof said mounting means mounted on and laterally adjustable withrespective ones of said adjacent units to drive the latter in anyadjusted position thereof, means for conducting power to one of saidpower operated means, and coupling means adjustably drivingly couplingsaid one of said power operated means to the other thereof to transmitpower therebetween while accommodating variation in the lateral spacingbetween said adjacent units, each of said units comprises a unit frameextending longitudinally forwardly from said beam, pair of rotatablesnapping rolls mounted longitudinally along each unit frame inside-by-side snapping relation, and wherein said power operated meanscomprises a pair of roll drive shafts respectively rotatably mounted onsaid adjacent unit frames and drivingly connected to said respectivepairs of rolls carried thereby, said coupling means comprising acoupling shaft extending between said roll drive shafts, and meansadjustably coupling said coupling shaft to said roll drive shafts toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacent unitframes, and further comprising means mounting longitudinally spacedportions of each pair of said rolls for lateral angular adjustmentrelative to each other and their assocaited unit frame, and wherein saidpower operated means further comprises a driven gear carried by each ofsaid rolls of said adjacent unit frames, and a driving gear carried bysaid respective roll drive shafts and engaging both of said driven gearsof each of said pairs of said rolls to rotatably drive the latter inlaterally adjusted positions thereof.

15. [The combine corn header attachment according to claim 12] A combinecorn header attachment for simultaneously harvesting a plurality ofspaced rows of corn; said attachment comprising main frame meansincluding a laterally extending support beam removably mountable on acombine, a plurality of snapping units, mounting means mounting saidunits in laterally spaced relation on said support beam in accordancewith the spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means for at leastone of said units comprising said one unit being mounted in abuttingrelationship to said beam to vertically support said one unit on saidbeam, said unit being movable along said beam in a continuous abuttingvertically supporting relationship to vary the lateral spacing of saidone unit relative to an adjacent unit and releasable clamping meanscarried by said one unit to fix said one unit in selected positionsalong said beam, power opera-ted means independent of said mountingmeans mounted on and laterally adjustable with respective ones of saidadjacent units to drive the latter in any adjusted position thereof,means for conducting power to one of said power operated means, andcoupling means adjustalbly drivingly coupling said one of said poweroperated means to the other thereof to transmit power therebetweenwhileaccommodating variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacentunits, each of said units comprises a unit frame extendinglongitudinally forwardly from said beam, a pair of rotatable snappingrolls mounted longitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-sidesnapping relation, and wherein said power operated means comprises apair of roll drive shafts'respectively rotatably mounted on saidadjacent unit frames and drivingly connected to said respective pairs ofrolls carried thereby, said coup-ling means comprising a coupling shaftextending between said roll drive shafts, and means adjustably couplingsaid coupling shaft to said roll drive shafts to accommodate variationin the lateral spacing between said adjacent unit frame, and furthercomprising a hood panel assembly extending laterally between saidadjacent unit finame's and including a pair of panel membersrespectively mounted on said adjacent unit frames, a snout panelassembly extending laterally between said adjacent unit frames andineluding a pair of snout panel members respectively mounted on saidadjacent unit frames, and means respectively adjustably connecting saidhood and snout panel members for relative movement therebetween toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing of said adjacent unitframes.

[16. The combine crorn header attachment according to claim 6 whereineach of said units comprises a unit frame extending longitudinallyforwardly from said beam, a pair of rotatable snapping rolls mountedlongitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-side snapping relation,and wherein said power operated means comprises a pair of roll driveshafts respectively rotatably mounted coaxially on said adjacent unitframes and drivingly connected to said respective pairs of rolls carriedthereby, wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling shaftextending coaxially between said roll drive shafts, and means removablymounting opposite ends of said coupling shaft to said roll drive shaftsand permitting replacement of said coupling shaft with a second couplingshaft of different length to accommodate variation in the lateralspacing between said adjacent unit frames] 17. [The combine corn headerattachment according to claim 6] A combine corn header attachment forsimultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced rows of corn; saidattachment comprising main frame means including a laterally extendingsupport beam removably mountable on a combine, a plurality of snappingunits, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spaced relationon said support beam in accordance with the spacing of the rows of corn,said mounting means for at least one of said units comprising said oneunit being mounted in abutting relationship to said beam to verticallysupport said one unit on said beam, said unit being movable along saidbeam in a continuous abutting vertically supporting relationship to varythe lateral spacing of said one unit relative to an adjacent unit andreleasable clamping means carried by said one unit to fix said one unitin selected positions along said beam, power operated means independentof said mounting means mounted on and laterally adjustable withrespective ones of said adjacent units to drive the later in anyadjusted position thereof, means for conducting power to one of saidpower operated means, and coupling means adjustably drivingly couplingsaid one of said power operated means to the other thereof to transmitpower therebetween while accommodating variation in the lateral spacingbetween said adjacent units, and wherein each of said units com prises aunit frame extending longitudinally forwardly from said beam, a pair ofrotatable snapping rolls extending longitudinally along each unit fnamein side-by-side snapping relation, a pair of gathering chains extendinglongitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-side relation above saidrolls, and wherein said power operated means comprises a pair of rolldrive shafts respectively rotatably mounted coaxially on said adjacentunit frames and drivingly connected to said respective pairs of rollscarried thereby, a pair of gathering chain drive shafts respectivelyrotatably mounted coaxially on said adjacent unit frames and drivinglyconnected to said respective pairs of gathering chains carried thereby,and wherein said coupling means comprises a pair of coupling shaftsrespectively extending coaxially between said roll drive and gatheringchain drive shafts of said adjacent u-nit frames, and means adjustablyaxially coupling opposite ends of said respective coupling shafts tosaid roll drive and gathering chain drive shafts to accommodatevariation till. the lateral spacing between said adjacent unit frames.

18. [The combine corn header attachment according to claim 6] A combinecorn header attachment for simultaneously harvesting a plurality ofspaced rows of corn; said attachment comprising main frame meansincluding a laterally extending support beam removably mountable on acombine, a plurality of snapping units, mounting means mounting saidunits in laterally spaced relation on said support beam: in accordancewith the spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means for at leastoneof said units comprising said one unit being mounted in abuttingrelationship to said beam to vertically support said one unit on saidbeam, said unit being movable along said beam in a continuous abuttingvertically supporting relationship to vary the lateral spacing of saidone unit relative to an adjacent unit and releasable clamping meanscarried by said one unit to fix said one unit in selected positionsalong said beam, power operated means independent of said mounting meansmounted on and laterally adjustable with respective ones of saidadjacent units to drive the latter in. any adjusted position thereof,means for conducting power to one of said power operate-d means, andcoupling means adjustably drivingly coupling said one of said poweroperated means to the other thereof to transmit power therebetween whileaccommodating variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacentunits, and wherein each of said units comprises a unit frame extendinglongitudinally forwardly from said beam, a pair of rotatable snappingrolls extending longitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-sidesnapping relation, a pair of gathering chains extending longitudinallyalong each unit frame in side-by-side relation above said rolls, andwherein said power operated means comprises a pair of roll drive shaftsrespectively rotatably mounted coaxially on said adjacent unit framesand drivingly connected to said respective pairs of rolls carriedthereby, a pair of gathering chain drive shafts respectively rotatablymounted coaxially on said adjacent unit frames and drivingly connectedto said respective pairs of gathering chains carried thereby, andwherein said coupling means comprises a pair of coupling shaftsrespectively extending coaxially between said roll drive and gatheringchain drive shafts of said adjacent unit frames, and means removablymounting opposite ends of said respective coupling shafts to said rolldrive and gathering chain drive shafts and permitting replacement ofsaid coupling shafts with second coupling shafts of different length toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacent unitframes.

19. [The combine corn header attachment according to claim 6] A combinecorn header attachment for simultaneously harvesting a pluraltiy ofspaced rows of corn; said attachment comprising main frame meansincluding a laterally extending support beam removably mountable on acombine, a plurality of snapping units, mounting means mounting saidunits in laterally spaced relation on said support beam in accordancewith the spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means for at leastone of said units comprising said one unit being mounted in abuttingrelationship to said beam to vertically support said one unit on saidbeam, said unit being movable along said beam! in a continuous abuttingvertically supporting relationship to vary the lateral spacing of saidone unit relative to an adjacent unit and releasable clamping meanscarried by said one unit to fix said one unit in selected positionsalong said beam, power operated means independent of said mounting meansmounted on and laterally adjustable with respective ones of saidadjacent units to drive the latter in any adjusted position thereof,means for conducting power to one of said power operated means, andcoupling means adjustably drivingly coupling said one of said poweroperated means to the other thereof to transmit power therebetween whileaccommodating variation in the lateral spacing between said adjacentunits, and further comprising a panel assembly extending laterallybetween said adjacent units and including a pair of panel membersrespectively mounted on said adjacent units, and means adjustablyconnecting said panel members for relative movement therebetween toaccommodate variation in the lateral spacing of said adjacent units.

[20. A harvesting attachment adapted to be removably mounted on acombine for simultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced crop rows;said attachment comprising main frame means, a harvesting unit for eachcrop row, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spacedrelation on said main frame means in accordance with the spacing of thecrop rows, said mounting means for at least one of said units laterallyadjustably mounting the latter relative to an adjacent unit to vary thelateral spacing therebetween, a panel assembly extending laterallybetween said adjacent units and including a pair of panel membersrespectively mounted on said adjacent units, and means adjustablyconnecting said panel members for relative lateral movement therebetweenthroughout their entire extents to accommodate variation in the lateralspacing of said adjacent units] 21. A combine corn header attachementfor simultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced rows of corn; saidattachement comprising main frame means removably mountable on acombine, a snapping unit for each row of corn, mounting means mountingsaid units in laterally spaced relation on said main frame means inaccordance with the spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means forat least one of said units laterally adjustably mounting the latterrelative to an adjacent unit to vary the lateral spacing therebetween,said mounting means for said one unit continuously supporting said oneunit on said main frame means during variance of said lateral spacing, ahood panel assembly extending laterally between said adjacent unitsincluding a pair of panel members respectively mounted on said adjacentunits, a snout panel assembly extending laterally between said adjacentunits and including a pair of snout panel members respectively mountedon said adjacent units, and means respectively adjustably connectingsaid hood and snout panel members for relative lateral movementtherebetween throughout their entire extents to accommodate variation inthe lateral spacing of said adjacent units.

22. The combine corn header attachment according to claim 21 whereinsaid panel members of said hood panel and snout panel assemblies arerespectively pivotally connected to said adjacent units for swingingmovement toward and away therefrom.

23. A snapping unit for the corn header of a combine, said snapping unitcomprising a longitudinally extending frame, a pair of elongatedsnapping rolls extending longitudinally along said frame in side-by-sidesnapping relation, mounting means rotatably mounting longitudinallyspaced portions of said rolls for lateral angular adjustment relative toeach other and said frame, a driven gear carried by each of said rolls,and a single power driven driving gear engaging said driven gears torotatably drive said rolls.

24. The snapping unit according to claim 23 wherein each of said drivengears is a bevel gear, and said driving gear is a double bevel gear thegear faces of which respectively mesh with the gear faces of said drivengears.

25. The snapping unit according to claim 23 wherein said mounting meanscomprises spherical bearing means adjacent said driven gears, and meansadjustably mounted on said frame and supporting a portion of said rollslongitudinally spaced from said spherical bearing means to angularlyadjust said rolls within said bearing means.

[26. A combine corn header attachment for simultaneously harvesting aplurality of spaced rows of corn; said attachment comprising main framemeans including a laterally extending support beam removably mountableon a combine, a plurality of snapping units, mounting means mountingsaid units in laterally spaced relation on said support beam inaccordance with spacing of the rows of corn, said mounting means for atleast one of said units laterally adjustably mounting the latterrelative to an adjacent unit to vary the lateral spacing therebetween,power operated means for driving said units and including adjustabledrive means interconnecting said adjacent units to accommodate variationin the lateral spacing therebetween, said mounting means comprisingbracket means carried by each of said units and engageable with saidbeam to mount said unit thereon, and key means cooperable between saidbeam and each of said bracket means to space said units laterallyrelative to each other, said key means associated with said one of saidunits permitting adjustment of said bracket means of the latterlaterally thereon to different positions] [27. A combine corn headerattachment for simultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced rows ofcorn; said attachment comprising main frame means including a laterallyextending support beam removably mountable on a combine, a plurality ofsnapping units, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spacedrelation on said support beam in accordance with spacing of the rows ofcorn, said mounting means for at least one of said units laterallyadjustably mounting the latter relative to an adjacent unit to vary thelateral spacing therebetween, power operated means for driving saidunits and including adjustable drive means interconnecting said adjacentunits to accommodate variation in the lateral spacing therebetween, saidmounting means comprising bracket means carried by each of said unitsand engageable with said beam to mount said units thereon, and key barmeans fixedly secured to said beam and cooperable with said bracketmeans to space said respective units laterally relative to each other,said key bar means associated with said one of said units including aplurality of laterally spaced seats cooperable with said bracket meansof said one of said units for adjustment of the latter to differentpositions laterally on said beam] [28. A combine corn header attachmentfor simultaneously harvesting a plurality of spaced rows of corn; saidattachment comprising main frame means including a laterally extendingsupport beam removably mountable on a combine, a plurality of snappingunits, mounting means mounting said units in laterally spaced relationon said support beam in accordance with the spacing of the rows of corn,said mounting means for at least one of said units laterally adjustablymounting the latter along said support beam and relative to an adjacentunit to vary the lateral spacing therebetween, and means independent ofsaid mounting means for driving said units] [29. The combine corn headerattachment according to claim 28 wherein there are four of said snappingunits, at least the two outside units being laterally adjustable on saidsupport beam relative to the respective adjacent units] [30. The combineconn header attachment acconding to claim 28 wherein said mounting meansfor said one of said units fixedly secures the latter laterally relativeto said support beam in any adjusted position of said unit] [31. Thecombine corn header attachment according to claim 28 wherein saidmounting means for said one of said units fixedly secures the latterlaterally and vertically relative to said support beam in any adjustedposition of said unit] [32. The combine corn header attachment accordingto claim 28 wherein each of said units comprises a unit frame extendinglongitudinally forwardly from said support beam, a pair of rotatablesnapping rolls extending longitudinally along each unit frame inside-by-side map ping relation, a pair of gathering chains extendinglongitudinally along each unit frame in side-by-side relation above saidrolls, and wherein said mounting means fixedly secures said unitslaterally and vertically relative to said support beam} [33. The combinecorn header attachment as defined in claim 32 further comprising crossauger means adjacent the ends of said units mounted on said support beamto receive and collect at a common discharge area thereof corn harvestedsimultaneously by all of said units] [34. The combine corn headerattachment according to claim 28 wherein said snapping units includerotatable snapping means and driven gathering means, said means fordriving said units providing power drive from the combine to both thesnapping means and the gathering means of each unit in any laterallyadjusted position of the unit on said support beam] [35. The combinecorn header attachment according to claim 34 wherein said rotatablesnapping means comprises a pair of rotatable snapping rolls carried bysaid unit in side-by-side snapping relation and said driven gatheringmeans comprises a pair of gathering chains carried by said unit inside-by-side relation adjacent to said rolls] [36. The combine cornheader attachment according to claim 34 wherein said snapping unitsinclude rotatable snapping means and driven gathering means, said meansfor driving said units including driving means parallel to said supportbeam to provide power drive from the combine to both the snapping meansand the gathering means of each unit in any laterally adjusted positionof the unit on said support beam] References Cited The followingreferences, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented file ofthis patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 888,411 5/1908 Suhr 56-105 1,390,159 9/1921 P'rice56-59 1,936,760 11/1933 Hitchcock 56-18 2,209,056 7/ 1940 Hyman 56-1123,070,939 1/1963 Schwartz 56-18 3,174,266 3/ 1965 Hoekseme 56-106FOREIGN PATENTS 1,268,615 6/1961 France 56-105 ANTONIO, F. GUIDA,Primary Examiner

